Thanathorn says he’s ready to be the next Thai PM

PHOTO: Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

“Thanathorn added that he would not talk to Prayut while he was head of the junta.”

The Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit says he’s ready to become the next Thai PM and highlighted the campaign “Thailand 2X” that promotes equality among Thais and to make the country fit to compete with others.

The party launched its ‘vision announcement’ after the Election Commission approved its registration application last Friday. Future Forward now has legal status as a political party. The party stresses that it will field candidates in all 350 constituencies and that it was here to stay for the long term.

Regarding the party’s pro-democracy stance, Thanathorn said that FWP (Future Forward Party) was ready to negotiate with anyone as long as they could agree to their democratic terms.

The ‘non-negotiable’ issues were opposing any attempts by the current regime to retain power, amending the Constitution and reversing the coup’s legacy.

“Politics is all about negotiation. As long as they can accept this bottom line, we can talk,” Thanathorn said.

Although the NCPO has delayed the election several times, the FWP leader says he believes the election would take place early next year following the junta’s latest promise.

“The regime would not be able to explain another postponement of the election to the people.”

The party also welcomed the pro-junta Palang Pracharath Party, which launched its opening on Saturday, with members connected to the ruling regime including current incumbent ministers. The opening partly confirms speculation that General Prayut Chan-o-cha would be backed as a prime ministerial candidate in the next election.

Thanathorn said that if Prayut were interested in politics, he should be clear about it so voters could make a decision. The former automobile executive said he was ready to join a prime ministerial debate with all candidates, including Prayut who last week challenged him indirectly to a debate over the country’s future. But Thanathorn added that he would not talk to Prayut while he was head of the junta.

FWP secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul said he welcomed the forming of any party to offer a choice to voters.

However, like other politicians and critics, Piyabutr said every party should be treated equally. As it took FWP nearly a hundred days before the EC approved it status, Piyabutr said he was waiting to see how long it would take for Palang Pracharath to complete the same process.

Considering the competitive advantages that Palang Pracharath may have because of its connections with the ruling regime, Piyabutr said the government should not push any policies now that are bound to a future budget.

SOURCE: The Nation